Actor
Porter Hall
Born 18 September 1888 · Cincinnati, Ohio, USA — died 6 October 1953
Porter Hall (1888–1953) was an American character actor from Cincinnati who worked in film from the early 1930s until his death. He often played villains, officious bureaucrats and flustered incompetents. He appeared for directors such as Capra, Hawks, Wilder and Preston Sturges.
Key films
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
One of his best-remembered roles, as a senator in Frank Capra's political classic.
His Girl Friday (1940)
Supporting turn in Howard Hawks's fast-talking newspaper comedy, showing his comic range.
Double Indemnity (1944)On Cinespective
Appeared in Billy Wilder's landmark film noir, one of the most celebrated films of the decade.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Played the nervous, ill-tempered Granville Sawyer, a memorable antagonist to Kris Kringle.
Ace in the Hole (1951)
Late-career role in Billy Wilder's bitter drama about media exploitation.
Key awards
No major awards are documented here.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 75
- 1931The Cheat · as Leslie (uncredited)Actor
- 1931Secrets of a Secretary · as DrunkActor
- 1934The Thin Man · as Herbert MacCaulayActor
- 1934Murder in the Private Car · as Alden MurrayActor
- 1935The Case of the Lucky Legs · as Col. BradburyActor
- 1936The Petrified Forest · as Jason MapleActor
- 1936The Story of Louis Pasteur · as Dr. RossignolActor
- 1936The Plainsman · as Jack McCallActor
- 1936Satan Met a Lady · as Milton AmesActor
- 1936The General Died at Dawn · as Peter PerrieActor
- 1936The Princess Comes Across · as DarcyActor
- 1936Too Many Parents · as Mrs. SaundersActor
- 1936Snowed Under · as Arthur LaytonActor
- 1936Let's Make a Million · as SpencerActor
- 1936And Sudden Death · as District AttorneyActor
- 1937Make Way for Tomorrow · as Harvey ChaseActor
- 1937True Confession · as Mr. HartmanActor
- 1937Bulldog Drummond Escapes · as Norman MerridewActor
- 1937Souls at Sea · as Court ProsecutorActor
- 1937Wells Fargo · as James OliverActor
- 1937This Way Please · as S.J. CrawfordActor
- 1937King of Gamblers · as George KramerActor
- 1937Wild Money · as Bill CourtActor
- 1938Bulldog Drummond's Peril · as Dr. BotulianActor
- 1938Dangerous to Know · as Mayor BradleyActor
- 1938Men with Wings · as Hiram F. JenkinsActor
- 1938Tom Sawyer, Detective · as Uncle Silas PhelpsActor
- 1938Prison Farm · as Chiston R. BradbyActor
- 1938King of Alcatraz · as Matthew TalbotActor
- 1938The Arkansas Traveler · as Mayor DanielsActor
- 1938Scandal Street · as James WilsonActor
- 1938Stolen Heaven · as 'Von' OfferActor
- 1939Mr. Smith Goes to Washington · as Senator MonroeActor
- 1939Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police · as Man in Drummond's DreamActor
- 1939They Shall Have Music · as Mr. FlowerActor
- 1939Henry Goes Arizona · as Banker Edward G. Walsh (uncredited)Actor
- 1939Grand Jury Secrets · as Anthony PeltonActor
- 1940His Girl Friday · as MurphyActor
- 1940Dark Command · as Angus McCloudActor
- 1940Arizona · as Lazarus WardActor
- 1940Trail of the Vigilantes · as Sheriff KorleyActor
- 1941Sullivan's Travels · as Mr. HadrianActor
- 1941The Parson of Panamint · as Jonathan RandallActor
- 1942Mr. and Mrs. North · as George HeylerActor
- 1942The Remarkable Andrew · as Chief Clerk Art SlocumbActor
- 1942Butch Minds the Baby · as Brandy SmithActor
- 1943The Desperadoes · as Banker ClantonActor
- 1943A Stranger in Town · as Judge Austin HarkleyActor
- 1943The Woman of the Town · as Mayor Dog KilleyActor
- 1944Double Indemnity · as Mr. JacksonActor
- 1944Going My Way · as Mr. BelknapActor
- 1944The Miracle of Morgan's Creek · as Jacob Woodson, Justice of the PeaceActor
- 1944The Great Moment · as President Franklin PierceActor
- 1944The Mark of the Whistler · as Joe SorsbyActor
- 1944Standing Room Only · as Hugo FarenhallActor
- 1945Blood on the Sun · as Arthur BickettActor
- 1945Murder, He Says · as Mr. JohnsonActor
- 1945Week-End at the Waldorf · as StevensActor
- 1945Bring on the Girls · as Dr. EfringtonActor
- 1945Kiss and Tell · as Bill FranklinActor
- 1947Miracle on 34th Street · as Granville SawyerActor
- 1947Unconquered · as LeachActor
- 1947Singapore · as Mr. BellowsActor
- 1948You Gotta Stay Happy · as Mr. CaslonActor
- 1948That Wonderful Urge · as Attorney KetchellActor
- 1949Intruder in the Dust · as Nub GowrieActor
- 1949The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend · as Judge O'TooleActor
- 1949Chicken Every Sunday · as Sam HowellActor
- 1951Ace in the Hole · as Jacob Q. BootActor
- 1952Carbine Williams · as Sam MarkleyActor
- 1952Holiday for Sinners · as LouieActor
- 1952The Half-Breed · as KraemerActor
- 1953Pony Express · as Jim BridgerActor
- 1953Vice Squad · as Jack HartrampfActor
- 1954Return to Treasure Island · as Maximillian 'Maxie' HarrisActor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.